Wow, you're a popular person, huh? Think of it this way, this person's personal grudge against you bothers them alot more deeply than you. You ARE the better person.

-- Posted by LauraSFT on Fri, Jan 4, 2008, at 3:01 PM

They need to get over it, this is our county and our newspaper. If they dont like it or want to misinterpret it they dont need to read it!

-- Posted by Disgusted on Fri, Jan 4, 2008, at 3:23 PM

My husband and I moved to Shelbyville (his home town) in Sept. of 2006. After moving we read in the Nashville Tennessean that Bedford Co. had the greatest percentage of Hispanics of any county in the state. That was OK with us. We didn't even know Samolians lived here. We just hadn't noticed them. Late Friday afternoon (Dec. 22) my husband went into the back of the U.S. Bank to go to the Trustee's office and pay our propety taxes. When he came out he mentioned that several women entered the door to the bank behind him. They were in robes with their heads wrapped. I hadn't seen them, since I was sitting in the car and reading. Imagine our surprise two days later when we opened the paper to read about so many Samolians living in the county. Where have they been? Why had we not run into them before?

-- Posted by bettyhbrown on Fri, Jan 4, 2008, at 3:55 PM

I am a native of Bedford County. I have read the whole series Brian wrote regarding Somalians. Although I am no expert, I thought both sides were covered. My hopes are that these articles will shed some light to our community and people will then educate themselves further. I think the more research people do, they will see that the issue of Somalians transitioning into Bedford County isn't going so well.

-- Posted by two cents worth on Fri, Jan 4, 2008, at 4:46 PM

Mr. Brian

This is a pure racially motivated twist of character against Somalis based on prejudiced supposition.

By time you moved on to something that is more meaningful. If theri outcrying about hygienic issues that Somalian's have; then consider your self lucky.

Havent you had your 15 mins of fame yet?

-- Posted by yasmine on Fri, Jan 4, 2008, at 5:03 PM

A bigot with rudimentary knowledge of the English grammar who happened to get a job as a journalist. I can't decide which is the the greater abomination.

-- Posted by MikeSC on Fri, Jan 4, 2008, at 5:13 PM

I saw nothing racist or bigotry related in any of the 5-part series. Or is something trying to see something between the lines that isn't really there?

-- Posted by Evil Monkey on Fri, Jan 4, 2008, at 5:33 PM

I grew up overseas the Rudeness is part of the culture.. i can be pushy back.. but this is MY town and my country. If i go to another country I abide Their rules, their laws and i am humble.

I never was bitchy towards the locals.

i resent the attitude that the immigrants have that they are intitled to something.... no i struggle each week to put food on the table and pay bills.. i get no special treatment..

I will help anyone but don't abuse my good nature. OK that is enough feel better....

-- Posted by 4fabfelines on Fri, Jan 4, 2008, at 5:44 PM

It seams as you have taken the heat off of me Mr. Mosley.

I for one thought the article was fine and truthful.

I am sure we all have had different experiences with them and have our own input.

You can't make everybody happy unless you stay"politically correct"

Keep up the fine work.

-- Posted by michaelbell on Fri, Jan 4, 2008, at 6:01 PM

Haha Michael, but is about the funniest post you ever made. I am laughing pretty loud and my wife just looked at me.

-- Posted by Evil Monkey on Fri, Jan 4, 2008, at 6:40 PM

I have only posted a few comments where all of this is concerned because I was accused of being racist in another blog. Now, I have to say my peace! Friday before Christmas my husband and I ran to Food Lion for one item. I sat in my gas guzzling SUV (we do have 5 kids) while he ran in. I had a female Somalian ram (not run)a buggy into my vehicle that I work and pay for every month. She ran got in a vehicle someone else was driving and left! I have scratches from it all the way through the paint to the plastic! I have 6,000.00 in custom bumpers, hood, wheels and tires. What right does ANYONE have to damage my property??? My husband has been in the body shop business for 20 yrs. and it will still cost us about 100.00 for him to fix it himself. It wouldn't matter what I drive (commute to work in a older Camry) or how much money I have in it, the point is RESPECT others and their property! Would I want to live next door to them??? NO WAY.... For Sale sign would go up so fast it would not be funny....

-- Posted by Disgusted on Fri, Jan 4, 2008, at 7:01 PM

I just want all these people who claim we are being racists and bigots to have to live beside a group of Somalis from Davis Estates and then see how their attitude stands. Until that happens, I could care less what some of these people have to say because its easy to comment about the problem when you dont have to deal with it.

I have never complained about living next to people from India or Hispanics because they were usually nice and easy to get along with. Somalis on the other hand see me as inferior to them and they treat me as such and I cant stand that . . . especially when they move into my living area and then proceed to lower the standard of living and cause problems.

-- Posted by jaxspike on Fri, Jan 4, 2008, at 7:04 PM

Disgusted . . the same happened to my car when I first bought it while I was living in Davis Estates. Two months after buying it, a Somali man was getting out of his car and slammed his door into mine while I was sitting in the car getting ready to leave. When I got out to look, he started yelling that he did nothing wrong(even though I saw him do it right there) and he then laughed and walked away and when I told him that what he did wasn right, he told me to shut up. I was so mad . . . but what can you do?

It was a few months after that when I decided to move into a house because of all the stuff that was going on there due to them. It was sad really, I enjoyed living there until they started coming in and shacking up 10 people to one apartment(limit was suppose to be 4) and causing problems.

-- Posted by jaxspike on Fri, Jan 4, 2008, at 7:11 PM

And for the 2nd time this week I agree with Evil Monkey!

Or is someone trying to see something between the lines that isn't really there?

-- Posted by Disgusted on Fri, Jan 4, 2008, at 7:12 PM

Wow, I am on the roll.

What happens if you detain one that has damaged your property, aren't you allowed to? You are preventing them from leaving the scene of an accident/crime. What is the law regarding that?

-- Posted by Evil Monkey on Fri, Jan 4, 2008, at 7:18 PM

Good question! If I had been in the drivers seat I would have left my husband there and took off after them to at least get a plate # and call the police! Would it have mattered? Doubt it... I would have probably have had to take off work 3 or 4 times to go to court and never seen a dime for the damage... Thats my guess!

-- Posted by Disgusted on Fri, Jan 4, 2008, at 7:24 PM

Trying to detain a Somali after damaging your property? I can only imagine the problems that would cause . . . in the end you would probably be sued or arrested for harrassing them or they would claim you attacked them or something. I am sure some would play the victim in the situation.

-- Posted by jaxspike on Fri, Jan 4, 2008, at 7:38 PM

No doubt! THE VICTIM.....

-- Posted by Disgusted on Fri, Jan 4, 2008, at 7:44 PM

I got way off subject where Mr. Mosely is concerned. He is truely being attacked where this is concerned. Just because someone has a personal problem with him is no excuse to attack his character and his articles.

-- Posted by Disgusted on Fri, Jan 4, 2008, at 7:54 PM

Brian,

I just want to say this, Thanks, I really think this was a great article that might help get people talking and motivated to see can be fixed. Anytime you need something from me and my business, you let me know.

-- Posted by Evil Monkey on Sat, Jan 5, 2008, at 12:57 AM

THANK YOU BRIAN for a magnificent set of articles.

Unfortunately there are those in lala land who just can't handle the TRUTH!

BTW I seriously doubt that any of the Somali's have auto insurance (or any insurance)...so everyone, if you witness any kind of property damage, pick up your cell phone and call the POLICE AND REPORT IT!

-- Posted by puppydinks on Sat, Jan 5, 2008, at 7:30 AM

I wonder how many of the Somali children are of school age but not attending school?

-- Posted by Grit on Sat, Jan 5, 2008, at 9:07 AM

Fellow posters:

Do you feel that Africans like Somalis are less intelligent than whites or do you think whites and Africans have similar intelligence?

Let's see a show of hands. Don't be shy.

-- Posted by andy33 on Sat, Jan 5, 2008, at 3:35 PM

What a ignorant remark to make loblert . . . you are the only one who is trying to instigate bigotry and hate.

There are intelligent and less than intelligent people in every group and race and culture . . .

-- Posted by jaxspike on Sat, Jan 5, 2008, at 4:55 PM

Lobert,

I think you have an issue over race, religion. We have a problem with the lack of respect from all institutions involved.

#1) you don't live here.

#2) your facts are flawed with idealogy.

You have past posts regarding illegal Hispanics too, but I noticed you never once mention the rights of legal citizens. You think they are going to just continually lay down and be doormatted? Think again. The time has come for a change and I hope everyone follows examples of anyone standing up and saying No to this. I am going to write, campaign, contact as many agencies I can to continue this crusade to stop the money funnel of idiocy.

-- Posted by Evil Monkey on Sat, Jan 5, 2008, at 5:10 PM

It would be a miracle if people living under stress with poor nutrition and some concerted effort to wipe them out survived with optimum intelligence.

It would be surprising if people with access to good health care,proper environmental stimulation and decent education were intellectually deficient.

But,these things do occur.

"Survival of the fittest" can assure that horrific living conditions select for the canniest and most stable individuals.

A more peaceful life can allow more people with defects to live and even reproduce as they are helped to lead happy,productive lives.

But,any person can make the most of the intellect they have,fail to take advantage of ways to maximize their gifts or even stunt what sentience they have with toxic substances and malignant ideas.

I expect everyone to have a goodly portion of common sense,wisdom and the ability to learn until I'm convinced otherwise.

I don't tend to look down on people who *can't* think clearly but I have to work at not despising people who *won't* think when they have been blessed with the ability to do so.

I become very angry and discouraged when I see people working at being ignorant and trying to destroy what functioning brain cells they have.

I want to be around people who try to get information about the world around them.

I want them to consult at least three sources with different perspectives.

I want them to draw their own conclusions instead of swallowing whatever's said by a self-appointed,know-it-all "they".

Some groups concluded it was easier to stay at the top of the food chain by destroying others than by improving themselves.

They killed,enslaved and limited the options of any potential rivals.

Then,they blamed their victims for any weaknesses that resulted.

What could be worse now-sharing a planet with beings deliberately crippled or having the survivors rise up after being refined by adversity and wonder if they will be as abusive of power as people before them?

The best way for any of us to make it is to strive to reach our upper limits mentally and spiritually.

We should stretch those limits all we can.

We should aid and encourage all the people around us to be all they can be-whatever their age,race,gender or background.

We can't be as impeded by another's strength as by our own weakness.

If all individuals work at being their best selves and assisting others in doing the same,then even the most impaired among us will have a higher quality of life and the rest of us will benefit accordingly.

Those who have more privilege,power and ability have an obligation to use them in a positive manner.

If we concentrate less on who has what now and more on how we can get the best life has to offer for all of us,then we won't have to react negatively to anyone "above" or "below" us.

When we look after ourselves and team up with people around us,very little can inhibit our success.

-- Posted by quantumcat on Sat, Jan 5, 2008, at 5:28 PM

Yo, loblert. You are way off track with your ridiculous question. Trying to make this a race issue isn't going to work.

MUCH research was done by Brian in order to write these articles and cover the issue fully and honestly.

There are many journalists who don't put the effort into their reporting that Brian does. He works hard to get at the truth of the matter, which some people don't appreciate. ;-)

Your lame attempt to make this an issue of race doesn't fly. This is a major problem - not only in Shelbyville but across the country - and needs to be addressed. I'm glad to see Brian bring it out into the light, as other journalists are also doing.

'Bout time, I say! Maybe something will be done before it's too late. We can only hope.

-- Posted by radu on Sat, Jan 5, 2008, at 5:39 PM

Wow! Its a 100% duck rate on my question. My question stands unless you are to frightened to answer it. I'll bet you will ignore it again. How about you evil monkey. Do you have the guts to answer my question honestly or are you going to duck it too?

-- Posted by andy33 on Sat, Jan 5, 2008, at 5:48 PM

No one's ducking anything. It simply doesn't have anything to do with this issue.

YOU are the one wanting to make it a racial issue. YOU'RE the one throwing the word "bigot" and such at anyone, especially Brian, who sees a big problem in this country with the number of Somalians being dumped in our laps.

Have you even bothered to read the entire series of articles?

Me-thinks ye have an agenda. Spit it out - - what is it?

-- Posted by radu on Sat, Jan 5, 2008, at 6:03 PM

I agree that my question is off topic. But you still haven't answered it. I am just curious.

-- Posted by andy33 on Sat, Jan 5, 2008, at 6:06 PM

Yes, it is off topic. I hope you'll drop it completely once you have an answer. Enough is enough.

Intelligence and a lack of intelligence runs the spectrum. You find both in all races.

'Nuff said.

-- Posted by radu on Sat, Jan 5, 2008, at 6:14 PM

So my question stands. As a group, on average, is either race smarter?

-- Posted by andy33 on Sat, Jan 5, 2008, at 6:28 PM

Give it up! You got your answer. It couldn't be any plainer.

And you're proving my point. :-)

BTW, you didn't answer my question.

-- Posted by radu on Sat, Jan 5, 2008, at 6:33 PM

Fair point. My agenda is to find out the political views of those in this discussion so that I can better press my views. I have, on balance, a liberal viewpoint.

But I apologize. I did not catch anyone's response to my question: On average, who is smarter, whites like you, Africans like the Somalis, or neither ( the races are the same on average). Doesn't anyone have guts these days? Answer!

-- Posted by andy33 on Sat, Jan 5, 2008, at 7:11 PM

The answer is I don't know and neither do you. If we had all the Africans and all the white folks arm wrestle then we could keep score. Intelligence, even when measured by IQ scores or Wonderlic tests, is not like keeping score on an objective outcome. There are variables that cannot be accounted for that interfere with the objectivity of intelligence measurement. The whole problem with this entire discussion is the tendency to look at groups of people and not individual persons. If we judge each person on their actions then we can have some assurance that we at least have a good basis for comparison.

-- Posted by devan on Sat, Jan 5, 2008, at 9:16 PM

I feel that is a very unfair question Loblert.

The Somalis I have come in contact with really do not want to associate with us so it would be hard for any of us the question their intelligence.

If you are counting their intelligence by their inability to write and speak the English language well, then some might say they are unintelligent. Failure to communicate is sometimes seen as being unintelligent. The Hispanics got the bad wrap of being unintelligent when they first started coming to Shelbyville but it was mostly due to the fact their English was very bad, they couldn't understand us, we couldn't understand them. The Hispanics I know are far from unintelligent though (example: How many American 6 year olds do you know that can speak 2 languages). "Personally I have never seen the Somalis as unintelligent, just unfriendly"

But keep in mind when or if you travel abroad the same could be thought of you.

-- Posted by Dianatn on Sat, Jan 5, 2008, at 9:31 PM

The political views of the folks aren't relevant to the discussion, imho, loblert.

This is a problem that is nation-wide and needs to be dealt with. Somalians aren't the only refugees who have come to this country and caused trouble. They just happen to be the ones discussed in the series of articles and discussed on this forum. If you don't live in Shelbyville, you have no clue about the problems that are caused. If you do live in Shelbyville and haven't had any dealings with the Somalians, you don't get out much.

I believe you owe an apology to the author of the series; not only here but elsewhere where you may have posted your tripe. Your attacks are uncalled for. A little research on your part would show you how unjust you have been with your name-calling.

-- Posted by radu on Sat, Jan 5, 2008, at 10:33 PM

Loblert wants to start this as a racial issue, he did that a couple months ago regarding a Hispanic article too. He is what we call a "troll", someone that sits under the bridge to knock someone off when they are not paying attention.

He feels he can entrap someone for he is Loblert the Nomadic Troll King!

-- Posted by Evil Monkey on Sun, Jan 6, 2008, at 12:56 AM

Yep, trolls have a tendency to show up everywhere. From my experience, they either

1. have no life so they try to stir up trouble for kicks

or

2. have a grudge against someone and take out their frustrations on forums.

-- Posted by radu on Sun, Jan 6, 2008, at 1:26 AM

Loblert . . .I answered your question. No one group has dominance over the intelligence factor and anyone who says as such is ignorant.

Even when answered, you choose to look past what is stated and what is fact.

Now if I was asked if I thought I was more intelligent than you, then I would probably have to say yes considering the constant ignorant statements you make.

-- Posted by jaxspike on Sun, Jan 6, 2008, at 2:17 AM

So I think Jax Spike has now said that, on average, whites and blacks are of equal intelligence. Is that a fair characterization of your view JaxSpike? That is also my view. Does anyone else have the integrity to answer a simple question with a direct answer (not a politician's doublespeak answer?) if for no other reason, answer me so I can quit asking!

-- Posted by andy33 on Sun, Jan 6, 2008, at 7:14 AM

radu and jaxspke - I think both of you have "uncovered" loblert for the troll he/she is!

-- Posted by puppydinks on Sun, Jan 6, 2008, at 1:09 PM

um.. :(

-- Posted by Evil Monkey on Sun, Jan 6, 2008, at 2:53 PM

I think we ought to avoid the race card altogether.

The preferred term is not "troll".

It is "Orcish-American"-or maybe "Spamish".

-- Posted by quantumcat on Sun, Jan 6, 2008, at 3:47 PM

I don't think that is your "view" at all, Loblert. I think that whatever your race you claim to be a member of would be the race you feel to be "intellectually dominant".

I haven't read this entire series, so will not post an opinion one way or the other.

I do feel that Bedford County is being overrun by immigrants of several backgrounds. This is primarily due to the low cost of living in our county, coupled with the low end pay scale the industry of Shelbyville dictates. The average income of Bedford County residence's is far less than that of Rutherford, Williamson, Davidson, and possibly Coffee and Marshall. When the cost of gas escalates as it has recently and retail isn't any lower than these neighboring counties, the standard of living suffers. When you have a lower standard of living, you invite such things as illegal immigrants into your neighborhood.

Until Bedford County is able to increase the standard of living to what it was 20-30 years ago, this will continue to be an issue. This will only happen when better paying jobs and new industry comes to the county. The Pencil industry is down. Companies such as Eaton and Stanley Tools have left and the Horse Industry is struggling now. Calsonic is the only upper end major employer remaining in Shelbyville. Your answer to the immigrant problem lies in our political leaders being able to attract new industry to Bedford County. You land a major Company with pay similiar to what the Auto Industry now pays, and the immigrant problem will take care of itself.

-- Posted by Dolittle on Mon, Jan 7, 2008, at 7:14 AM

I think I now have my answer. Thank you.

-- Posted by andy33 on Mon, Jan 7, 2008, at 7:51 AM

For a while there,it looked as though Shelbyville were being groomed to be the bedroom community for our more congested neighbors.

We'd get upscale restaurants,a few boutique type retail establishments,some gated communities and,if we were lucky,Trader Joe's or Publix or Whole Foods might open up a grocery store store next to Hasting's or Target.

The next scenario I heard about was our being flooded with desperate folk from a third world underclass who would take over all the menial tasks.

I'm not sure what was supposed to happen to the folks in the middle.

Some folk seem to fear we'd all be run off from our homes or forced into an intolerable way of living.

I don't see us letting things get that bad or having an instant Paradise laid at our feet.

No one will want to come here if they can't have good living conditions for their families.

Decent employment,superlative schools,good medical care,a low crime rate and all the other building blocks for a healthy,prosperous and congenial environment will make the difference about who comes here and who stays.

Let's make sure we can offer these items to all who might live here.

Let's make certain we can offer the best employers a responsible,educated workforce that can perform its duties and exercise its rights.

Let's affirm that there will be no victims or victimizers here.

We all dedicate ourselves to having a desirable home and we all reap the benefits of that achievement.

We have to stop looking for things to fear and things to complain about and see what we can do to make changes that are well thought out,necessary and positive.

No progress can be made if we keep silent nor will we be helped if we just grumble and whine in isolation.

We must identify problems,find solutions and implement them in such a way that the benefits outweigh any temptation to get in the way of those improvements.

Our community has faced good times and bad before.

It has made progress when the ordinary citizens pooled their efforts to make their goals happen.

It has failed when people acted in haste without foresight or didn't move forward at all.

We can accomplish as much as the best of those who have gone before but we can't get what we need without preparation and dedication.

Shelbyville can have all it needs if we have the will to provide the means to get it.

-- Posted by quantumcat on Mon, Jan 7, 2008, at 9:16 AM

I bought a bird feeder. I hung it on my back porch and filled it with seed.

What a beauty of a bird feeder it is, as I filled it lovingly with seed.

Within a week we had hundreds of birds taking advantage of the continuous flow of free

and

easily accessible food.

But then the birds started

building nests in the boards

of the patio, above the table, and next to the barbecue.

Then came the poop. It was

everywhere: on the patio tile, the chairs, the table ...

everywhere!

Then some of the birds

turned mean. They would

dive bomb me and try to

peck me even though I had

fed them out of my own

pocket.

And others birds were

boisterous and loud. They

sat on the feeder and

squawked and screamed at

all hours of the day and night and demanded that I fill it when it got low on food.

After a while, I couldn't even sit on my own back porch anymore. So I took down

the bird feeder and in three days the birds were gone. I cleaned up their mess

and took down the many nests they had built

all over the patio.

Soon, the back yard was like it used to be . quiet, serene and no one demanding

their rights to a free meal.

Now let's see ..

Our government gives out

free food, subsidized housing, free medical care, and free education and allows anyone born here to be an automatic citizen.

Then the illegals (and refugees) came by the tens of thousands. Suddenly our taxes went up to pay for free services; small apartments are housing 5 families; you have to wait 6 hours to be seen by an emergency room doctor.

Your child's 2nd

grade class is behind other schools because

over half the class doesn't speak English.

Corn Flakes now come in a

bilingual box;

I have to "press one" to hear my bank talk to me in English, and people waving flags other

than "Old Glory" are

squawking and screaming

in the streets, demanding

more rights and free liberties.

Just my opinion, but maybe

it's time for the government

to take down the bird feeder.

-- Posted by puppydinks on Mon, Jan 7, 2008, at 1:30 PM

GREAT POST!!!! puppydinks...

-- Posted by Disgusted on Mon, Jan 7, 2008, at 2:09 PM

Great Post I loved it!!! So very ture also

-- Posted by Dianatn on Mon, Jan 7, 2008, at 2:55 PM

If only our elected officials, at all levels of government, could see this and take heed!

BTW, thanks for your kind words!!

-- Posted by puppydinks on Mon, Jan 7, 2008, at 6:46 PM

Your ears should be really flaming now Brian Have you read the latest post on Knoxville Talks.

Posting a comment seems to be futile they are delete happy over there.

Seems to me they should move to Nashville where they are more welcome?

-- Posted by Dianatn on Mon, Jan 7, 2008, at 11:26 PM

Unwelcome in Shelbyville, Tennessee

On December 28, 2007, Brian Mosley of the Shelbyville Times-Gazette wrote an article titled "Drug, gang problems accompany Somalis." Part of a series, the article was, ostensibly, written to help residents of Shelbyville, TN, understand ¡§the impact of Somalian refugees on Bedford County.¡¨ In it, Mr. Mosley wrote what Larry Lowman, chief administrator for Bedford County Sheriff¡*s Department, told him about Somalis and their interactions with law enforcement. According to Mr. Lowman, there were ¡§a lot of gang related activity with Somalis, imported from Nashville,¡¨ but Lowman failed to tell Mr. Mosley exactly what these activities were. With no documented gang related activity by Somalis in Shelbyville to write about, Mr. Mosley then cited the ¡§three primary organized¡¨ Somali gangs in Minneapolis, MN (a very safe 940 miles away). By mentioning these alleged gangs in far away lands, Mr. Mosley was, essentially, warning his readership that it was only a matter of time before Shelbyville, with a Somali population of 300, would become another Minneapolis, a city with a Somali population of 40,000, twice the entire population of Shelbyville.

Still convinced there was more to Somalis and law enforcement, Mr. Mosley asked the Shelbyville Chief of Police, Mr. Austin Swing, if he knew of any gang related activity by Somalis. Mr. Austin informed Mr. Mosley that he, too, had heard of gang related activity by Somalis, ¡§but as far as knowing it for a fact, he could not confirm this assertion.¡¨ If Mr. Swing, the Chief of Police of Shelbyville, had no factual knowledge of any gang activity by Somalis, why did Mr. Mosley see it fit to give his article the title that he did? Undeterred by the lack of cooperation, Mr. Mosley further prompted the Chief of Police only to be told ¡§his department is constantly receiving calls about suspicious activity in the Somali community from the public.¡¨ (Could these be the same phantom activities to which Mr. Lowman referred but failed to enumerate?) The Chief of Police finally tells Mr. Mosley that ¡§in his conversations with people in the community who have dealt with the Somalis, the issue of rudeness has frequently been raised, but it has not caused law enforcement a major concern.¡¨ Clearly, the Chief of Police had said all he was going to say on Somalis. They were rude, it seems, but not criminals.

Unhappy with the direction his article took, Mr. Mosley wrote another one the very next day, December 29, 2007. With the title ¡§Somalians respond poorly to local hospitality,¡¨ it was to become the grand finale of his series on Somalis. In this latest attempt at defamation, Mr. Mosley wrote of how ¡§over the past few years, this community [meaning Shelbyville] has given a helping hand and opened their arms to the new arrivals from Somalia,¡¨ but that these ingrate newcomers had, in return, ¡§given Shelbyville the finger.¡¨ Mr. Mosley didn¡*t explain just how the Somalis had been ungrateful except by citing poor attendance at local English as second language classes. In what seems as a last gasp effort, Mr. Mosley then wrote about a terrible crime that horrified Somalis around the nation and used it as an example of a ¡§difference in culture¡¨ that he found unacceptable. Failing to realize, or perhaps intentionally so, that similar or more heinous crimes are committed every day by persons of every race, creed and nationality and that few communities are vilified by the actions of individuals, unless, of course, the community happens to be the weak and voiceless Somali community in Shelbyville, TN.

After having miserably failed to link Somalis in Shelbyville to any gang related activity, insinuated that they are of a different species suffering from a backward culture and a lack of proper hygiene, Mr. Mosley concluded his campaign by writing ¡§one can not expect a community to keep bending over backwards to help folks, only to [be] treated with rudeness, disrespect and hostility. At some point, our welcoming attitude and southern hospitality will turn into resentment and distrust.¡¨ Could this be a veiled threat to the vulnerable community? Is Mr. Mosley trying to incite hate crimes against Somalis in Shelbyville? It is most unfortunate that hearsay, insinuations and fallacies pass for journalistic reporting. Even more tragic is that Mr. Mosley, seemingly so lacking in journalistic integrity, probably considers himself to have done a great job exposing poor refugees from a war-torn nation as the ungrateful recipients of Shelbyville¡*s welcome. ¡§The arrogant sense of entitlement demonstrated by these new additions to Shelbyville must stop,¡¨ writes Mr. Mosley, as if arrogance was a trait found in every Somali in the community, and if it were, that it is a crime against the laws of Shelbyville. If Shelbyville¡*s welcome is anything like that of Mr. Mosley, the Somali community must surely be under siege in that city.

The Somali Community of Nashville condemns the unprovoked and undeserved public defamation of Somalis in Shelbyville, TN, by Brian Mosley and the Shelbyville Times-Gazette. We also advocate the following:

„X A prompt and public apology by Brian Mosley and the Shelbyville Times-Gazette to the Somali community in Shelbyville, TN,

„X The immediate cessation of the baseless and negative reporting on Somalis,

„X A sincere effort to build bridges of understanding between the residents of Shelbyville and the newcomers from Somalia instead of fueling the fires of prejudice and xenophobia,

„X And the adherence by the Shelbyville Times-Gazette to journalistic integrity by providing its readership with fair and accurate reporting on sensitive issues relating to community relations and refugee resettlement.

Somali Community of Nashville

-- Posted by Somali Community of Nashville on Tue, Jan 8, 2008, at 9:17 AM

I hope they noticed the supportive comments and constructive criticism as much as the handful of questionable and inappropriate comments.

I hope they saw that the lion's share of irritation stemmed from resentment toward businesses and agencies-not immigrants.

Let's hope the Somalis and others will reach out to us,help us know them and work with those who have lived here longer to address everyone's concerns and find a way to live alongside one another peacefully.

Surely,there are enough wise folk among us to make ourselves a team that has the common goal of making Shelbyville a good home instead of a bunch of people struggling to get by who think they must "lose" for other persons to "win."

-- Posted by quantumcat on Tue, Jan 8, 2008, at 9:51 AM

I say the "Somali Community of Nashville" should worry about the Somali Community of Nashville and spend less time stirring up trouble for the Somali Community of Shelbyville! Just a suggestion...

-- Posted by Dolittle on Tue, Jan 8, 2008, at 9:54 AM

You have unfairly linked Brian's opinion columns -- which represent his opinion -- with the news reporting about Somalians. You have also made stretches in logic far greater those of which you accuse Brian, such as saying that he encouraged hate crimes, a truly reprehensible and baseless accusation.

Our series, taken as a whole, was balanced and accurate, and provided valuable information about the refugees and their origin, and helped to build understanding by enlightening local residents about the situation.

-- Posted by Jicarney on Tue, Jan 8, 2008, at 10:39 AM

Dianatn-

Regarding your suggestion (below) that I've deleted any comments at KnoxvilleTalks.com - this is inaccurate.

Please be assured that as the moderator, I only delete comments if they violate our terms of service (profanity, etc).

No comments on the post you are referring to have been deleted. None.

If you are having trouble posting your comments, please feel free to drop me an e-mail at kagranju@gmail.com and I'll try to fix whatever tech problem you may be having.

Posting a comment seems to be futile they are delete happy over there.

Seems to me they should move to Nashville where they are more welcome?

-- Posted by Dianatn on Mon, Jan 7, 2008, at 11:26 PM

-- Posted by katie allison granju on Tue, Jan 8, 2008, at 12:32 PM

katie allison granju

When I posted to your forum it sure looked as if it posted but maybe it didn't. I had no need for profanity so there was none.

Anyway it is not a problem the post I made has been said many times before by all of us who live here in Shelbyville, where we are the ones dealing with this actual problem.

Thanks if I happen to need a tech I'll be sure and let you know.

All Best to you also

Diana

-- Posted by Dianatn on Tue, Jan 8, 2008, at 1:18 PM

Katie,

I find it funny, that you delete posts due to the TOS, but isn't spamming and multiple posts against your TOS? Why isn't your sympathizer posts not deleted? Oh I see, your blog is agenda driven. Therefore, not accurate.

You can't say you didn't allow it, because you have 2 different spam blocking modules installed in WordPress's CMS. Spam Karma 2 and Bad Behavior was supposed to prevent that, seems you made sure those were spammed or the person that posted has Administration rights. Hmmm sounds a tad suspicious.

Again, I feel your agenda is now unfounded and your poor excuse to get some free attention to your blog has now been defused to a mere rambling.

-- Posted by Evil Monkey on Tue, Jan 8, 2008, at 3:06 PM

Most websites that accept comments have spam filters on them. I don't know how much you know about online communities, but this is a standard part of the technical design for any site that allows comments.

We allow comments without any registration, so spam filters are even more important.

Duplicate posts shouldn't be there, but if they are, it's not due to an "agenda."

I welcome your contributions and involvement to KnoxvilleTalks.com. Feel free to jump in the conversation.

-Katie

-- Posted by katie allison granju on Tue, Jan 8, 2008, at 3:32 PM

Katie,

You are clearly not reading or understanding what I am writing, if you must know I design, program, and run these types of systems on my webhosting business. I know how they work. What I am saying is, the filters would have not allowed those 5 comments of incredible length to be posted within those 60 seconds UNLESS an administrator bypassed them. So clearly I am stating that you allowed it to happen.

-- Posted by Evil Monkey on Tue, Jan 8, 2008, at 8:02 PM

Not to mention they are still there over 24 hours later

-- Posted by Dianatn on Tue, Jan 8, 2008, at 8:06 PM

Not sure what it is that I said.. but do let me clear this up.

Sometimes my sarcasm is deciphered in the wrong context. I do not believe for one minute She/He was a 16 year old Somali honor student, class president. My reasoning in this has nothing to do with his/her intelligence it has to do with the way the Somali High School girls here in Shelbyville act towards the rest of the class. They will not associate with the other members of their class. Class President is an elected office, by their peers, so I really don't see the Junior Class electing a Somali Girl class president unless of course she attends a school that the majority of the students were Somali. Plus I personally know she is not the Junior Class President at Central because I know who is and she isn't Somali. Now if she/he is not from Shelbyville Then nothing she had to say has anything what-so-ever to do with this article or this conversation. This article was about Shelbyville Somalis and OUR experiences with them Not the Somalis all over the USA or all over Europe.

This was the reason I ask he/she which school they attended but amazingly enough I never received an answer.

-- Posted by Dianatn on Tue, Jan 8, 2008, at 8:33 PM

LOL sorry I put that on the wrong thread DUH . I never said I was perfect by any means :>)

-- Posted by Dianatn on Tue, Jan 8, 2008, at 8:35 PM

First, Brian, I commend your fine investigative and writing skills. I feel sorry for the Somalis who have to live in Shelbyville. Pretty much every community within 20 miles of Shelbyville considers it a backwards, white trash, sh**hole, town. The Somalis probably improve the town. I laugh at the notion that Shelbyville is a town full of Southern Hospitality. Ask that poor mexican man who was shot by police at his own birthday party. As for the Somalian who killed his own family, lets not forget about that good ole "white" fellow from Shelbyville who killed those little kids and put their little bodies under an old carpet in his auto repair shop. Lets call a spade a spade. Shelbyville is not a quaint little southern town whose equilibrium has been disrupted by Somalians. Really, I hope more come...and open a restaurant.

Salaam Aleikum

Vol

-- Posted by Vollie on Tue, Jan 8, 2008, at 10:17 PM

Saleem,

Thank you for your kind words and your nice language. Can the somalis come live with you in your town since you feel they will improve your way of living?

-- Posted by Evil Monkey on Tue, Jan 8, 2008, at 11:33 PM

Yeah, Saleem. If they are really as wonderful as you imply why won't you welcome them with open arms to your community??

I will always be suspicious of people who wear "robes" in public - in some places those "robes" conceal bombs.

When it's MY taxpayers dollars PAYING for their relocation, then I DO HAVE A SAY IN THE MATTER!!

-- Posted by puppydinks on Wed, Jan 9, 2008, at 8:16 AM

I think more people should wear robes.

If they were sheer enough,they might not conceal bombs but they would cover a lot of gangly bones and jiggly cellulite.

It would make body image and wardrobe choice a lot easier to deal with.

(Think wearing long johns underneathe in winter and shorts or less in summer.)

Add the proper headgear and eliminate bad hair days or even shaving and make-up.

There's something to be said for clothes that provide anonymity and don't serve as billboards.

Instead of hiding bodies we are taught to find unpleasing or concealing instruments of harm that are shameful,perhaps robes could serve to emphasize the parts of us that are truly beautiful and individual-our minds.

P.S.

I could be wrong but I think "Salaam Aleikum" means "Peace be with you."

The writer's nick was Vollie or "Vol" meaning "GO Big Orange!"

The expected response is "Aleikum Salaam" or "And with you,also."

But,that's no problem.

If I were responding to an alien culture,I'd probably read the complimentary close and ask "Very Truly Yours" if I could call him/her "Ver" for short.

-- Posted by quantumcat on Wed, Jan 9, 2008, at 9:54 AM

I don't know but I think if someone slams you the way "Vollie" just did in his post and then closes with "Salaam Aleikum" or even "Peace be with you" it somehow looses it's meaning, don't it?

-- Posted by Dianatn on Wed, Jan 9, 2008, at 11:14 AM

Vollie, Like Evil Monkey said let them come live with you!!! Let them destroy you neighborhood and property. All of us white trash that try to have something (by working for it) can only hope that the towns within 20 miles that think so little of us stay on their side too! As for the Southern Hospitalily....We got it, just dont demand it!

-- Posted by Disgusted on Wed, Jan 9, 2008, at 6:18 PM

Vollie,

For a couple days now I have been thinking about your comment. I must say this regarding the Hispanic man who was shot. Someone called the police b/c he was shooting a gun off. They responded, found the man in the woods behind his home with said gun. They told him to put the gun down, he did not comply. I believe it was reported that he may have even raised the gun up. Even if he had not they had every right in this world to shoot him. That is their job. They did their job. At the point in time that he was shot all they knew about him was that he was a drunken man in the woods with a loaded gun that refused to comply with orders given. Should they have waited on him to shoot first? Personally, I would have shot him too. I'm sure you would have done the same.

The Somalians don't have to live in Shelbyville so you can check your pity for them at the door. They can leave! No one asked them to come, no one is making them stay.

As for your reference to Daryl Holton, yea, well...dude was nuts. It happens, but you know that right? What religion was he? Who knows? Who cares, he killed those kids for WHATEVER reason and he was put to death by the State of Tennessee. Did ANYONE here insist that the killing of Daryl's children were ok? No. Do you know why? Because regardless of what you may believe just b/c we are a "backwards, white trash, sh**hole, town" we still know right from wrong.

"Shelbyville is not a quaint little southern town whose equilibrium has been disrupted by Somalians."

-and I'm assuming you know b/c you live here? Not likely.

-- Posted by LauraSFT on Thu, Jan 10, 2008, at 8:03 AM

I second Laura's comments!

Vollie or whoever you are, if you live here then you can always leave if you are unhappy-- if you don't live here you should find another blog!

No one's equilibrium has been "disrupted". What's happened is that people from throughout the UNITED STATES are getting damn sick and tired of our TAXPAYERS DOLLARS being used to relocate and house "illegals" and "refugees", neither of whom are actual U.S. CITIZENS!

To make matters worse, many of these same people, try to throw their weight around, making demands of Federal, State and local governments & then have the nerve to say they are being treated "unfairly"!! This is cockamamie B.S. and you know it and so do they!

Then they try to say that they are being discriminated against and that the residents of their new "home" are racists!

When in Rome, do as the Romans do - in other words LEARN to live amongst the CITIZENS and stop whining and complaining about how "unfair" everything is and how horrible things are here. Also stop demanding "rights" for which YOU ARE NOT ENTITLED!

If you don't like it- TAKE A HIKE!!

-- Posted by puppydinks on Thu, Jan 10, 2008, at 9:14 AM

The southern hospitality is over-flowing on this blog.

-- Posted by dooshie69 on Thu, Jan 10, 2008, at 12:12 PM

The southern hospitality is over-flowing on this blog.

-- Posted by dooshie69 on Thu, Jan 10, 2008, at 12:12 PM

dooshie,

I'm not sure if you meant that as a joke or not, but just in case it wasn't a joke and you don't know better, southern hospitality does not mean that southern folks are just going to take an insult, bad situation or anything disrespectful directed towards them or their hometown and lay down without doing or saying something about it. Actually I am surprised it has been so civil on this blog.

William

-- Posted by HorseGentler on Thu, Jan 10, 2008, at 12:59 PM

Yeah, Shelbyville pretty much sucks. I'm assuming they haven't seen the rest of Tennessee, because their options are so limited here.

-- Posted by nascarfanatic on Thu, Jan 10, 2008, at 7:04 PM

I have a few thing to say about several things that I have read on here. The first of which is that I have lived here all my life. That being said, as a Shelbyville native, I have taken offense to several things said here by Shelbyville natives as well. I will start out with the comment about the hispanic man shot by the police...."Even if he had not they had every right in this world to shoot him. That is their job."

Since when is it the job of the police to shoot people? I was under the impression that their job was to protect and serve. Yes they may be justified (and I say may be because I was not there and don't know exactly what happened)in the shooting of this man. In this case, as I understand it, he was a gentleman that was an upstanding businessman in the community and has lived here a long time. The statement that you made "Personally, I would have shot him too. I'm sure you would have done the same." I'm sorry to say, this makes you sound prejudist like some backwards hick that is ready to shoot anyone that is not a white upscale been here your whole life citizen.

This man was not an illegal alien, he was a citizen of this community and a citizen of the United States of America. And the fact of the matter is that hispanic people are some of the hardest working people around here...illegal or not. And might I remind you that not all hispanics in this community are illegal. You don't understand their culture. The reason there are so many that live in one house is that they have a culture that is based on family values. They take care of their own. When one member needs something, their family is there to help. Something that many American citizens have long forgotten.

How many drunken white men are at bars waving a knife or gun around. Is it your opinion that hey your a cop, it's your job to shoot them. Is that the proper outcome or is that statement just for Mexicans?

Fermin Estrada was a human being first. Since he was a hispanic man I guess he seemed to be more of a threat. Where was the negotiation. A cop is a cop. They are not a judges or executioners. They are peace officers. This offense by Mr. Estrada was just a city law broken. Are you to say that Mrs. Bobo should be hunted down with a posse because of her Federal infraction by bringing a gun into a school with hundreds of children. Since she is white and a good teacher, I guess she should get off free and clear.

Before I continue, might I remind you that everyone that is in this nation, is a foreigner except the Native Americans. So no one has the right to judge another race or culture. The fact of the matter is that if you did some research you just might find that some of your ancestors are from the very groups you are judging against.

America is a great country that is prided on fighting for justice. Why are our troops in a foreign country now? Many say because the President sent them to a place that we have no business being in...but if you ask those same soldiers that are there, I bet they will tell you that they are there to defend the rights of those that cannot defend themselves! Military personnel do their job for a reason. They have the belief that they can make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate. If they didn't believe that, they would not have joined the military.

That being said...regarding the Somalis...I am afraid I do not know much about their culture and their persecutions in their homeland, but it is my understanding that if they are a refugee, there are unpleasant situations that they are escaping. (Just like the pilgrims,holocaust survivors, cuban refugees,etc.) Our country was founded by people escaping.

I haven't had many circustances in which I have dealt with the Somalis. The ones that I have dealt with have not been standoffish, rude, or destructive in any way. The only problem I had with them was a communication problem. But after spending a little time trying to figure out what it was they needed, I was treated with gratitude for the effort.

There are good and bad in EVERY ethnic group...including your own. If you would take some time and try to understand different cultures instead of trying to change them you might find life more harmonious. But from some comments I've heard, many don't want a life of peace with your neighbors.

As for puppydinks remarks:"Vollie or whoever you are, if you live here then you can always leave if you are unhappy" That is exactly what I plan on doing. Shelbyville is not a place that I want my children to grow up. As soon a can, I plan to get as far away as I can. As I stated I have lived here my whole life, so I have seen how this town works. If you do not own a horse, you are a nobody. If you don't have money, you are a nobody. This town is not growing. It is so backwards that it is taking the entire town and shoving it on one road and calling it progress. Yes 231 looks like a busy booming town, but go down Madison and it is a ghost town. That is not progress, it is stupidity.

Then with regards to the southern hospitality. I don't care what anyone says, there is not much of it here. I have been broke down and my family has been broke down and I can count the number of times anyone has stopped and offered to help on one hand. That is not to say that there is not people that are willing to help...the four or five that have, I am truly grateful. To the other 500-600 that didn't, one day it will be your family on the side of the road.

If you say that we are so welcoming in this community and we have such great southern hospitality, then when an outsider voices their opinion or advice on these blogs, why are they told so rudely that they don't belong? Serve me another heaping spoon of that southern hospitality, Please!!!

In closing, I fully agree with nascarfanatic and as a Shelbyville native I have the right to say it..."Yeah, Shelbyville pretty much sucks."

-- Posted by evil camel on Fri, Jan 11, 2008, at 11:54 PM

Evil camel sorry that you are so unhappy here but how many times have you stopped to help someone on the side of the road, picked someone up that needed a ride, gave to a charity! Shelbyville does not have to be a big booming town to welcoming. I rather like a small town, but that is me. I personally think that if you want to live in this country, community or wherever you should have to follow the rules and laws of that place. I should not have to have my tax dollars accomodate that either. I am all for a better life for anyone but do NOT expect me to provide it for you, I work for mine. Good luck wherever you go, I hope you find what you are looking for, but know this there is good and bad in every place. And just wondering, If you think Shelbyville is such a bad place what have you done, personally, to make it better. Have you went to a city meeting or school board meeting and voiced your oppinion. Have you went to your childrens schools and asked what you could do to make a difference? If you have great if not then it is unfair to blame this town on your unhappiness because you did not stand up and use youe voice to make a difference. Again good luck and GOD BLESS

-- Posted by For the kids on Sun, Jan 13, 2008, at 12:41 AM

You know just yesterday we helped a man that was broke down on the side of the road and towed their car home. So yes we do our part to contribute. I have given to charities. We have offered our services free of charge at the schools that our children attended and we were turned away. If you are not from a certain family, don't own a horse, or have money...your opinion or offers for help do not count. We are self employed but we earn our money in different communities because this one does not want to be any different than what they are right now.

I am not saying that I want Shelbyville to grow into a big city, in fact the places that we are looking to relocate in are smaller. What I am trying to say is that there are not jobs here for people to support their families. I read in another blog that someone asked why is so many people resorting to stealing now. It is because there is no opportunity for them to make enough to survive. When you can't make enough money to pay the bills and feed your children, what else are you supposed to do?

I know that may not be the reason behind the thefts in this area because we do have our share of drunks and drug addicts here but with the opportunities opening here, it won't be long until this may be the only option for some.

The only new job opportunities becoming available here are in the forms of new restaurants (on Main St./Hwy 231) that might pay minimum wage but they only pay biweekly. When you make that low a pay scale and are only allowed to get your earned money every 14 days...it is not an easy (if not impossible) task to perform.

I know there are good and bad in every place you go. I personnaly know several good people. I am not saying that they are not here, they are just few and far between.

And if all you got from reading my post was that I was unhappy, then shame on you. You mentioned that laws must be followed in every location. I am assuming that is referring to the immigrants and refugees but what about our educated, upstanding, white, born here teacher? Last time I checked, bringing a gun on school property was a Federal offense throughout the United States of America.

I am not trying to bash Mrs. Bobo because I had her as a teacher. She was a wonderful teacher. I liked her and respected her. But I do not approve of this in any way. The issue that I am unhappy should not be the focus. I will worry about my happiness. The other comments about the issues I stated were what set me off and let everyone know exactly what I think about the whole situation here in lovely little Shelbyville.

-- Posted by evil camel on Sun, Jan 13, 2008, at 11:54 AM

I have to say as a female I will not stop on the road for ANYONE I dont know. I would gladly call the police to come help someone. That's not just here in Shelbyville, I wouldn't stop anywhere for a stranger!

As for the job situation, I as well as many others spend many hours per week driving to have a better paying job than the ones offered in Shelbyville. I am paid twice per month and have no problem with that. Would I like to work close to home? Sure I would! Sometimes you have to be willing to give a little more in order to get a little more!

As for the hospitality comment, I made that comment and I stand behind it... and I don't own a horse either! Good luck to you where ever you go and I hope you see a differance but I doubt it!

-- Posted by Disgusted on Sun, Jan 13, 2008, at 2:18 PM

You just might not see as many horses...

-- Posted by Disgusted on Sun, Jan 13, 2008, at 2:20 PM

We do travel to make a better living. I have a Master's degree and this town has nothing better to offer than a factory job for me. By you stating that you travel to work at a better paying community, you are in fact making my point...that Shelbyville has nothing to offer when it comes to making a living for the people that live here. I, like you, travel for work. The majority of my money goes into my gas tank...after that fact, I am basically getting minimum wage!

You and I are not the only people in this town. There are people that want to work and they have nothing available here and because of fuel prices, they can't afford to get a job elsewhere. Just because you and I can get outside of Bedford County to work, does not mean that everyone can.

As for getting paid every two weeks, if it is the only income and you have a family, it is hard. I am fortunate because we have two incomes to count on, both from outside Bedford County. Do you have a spouse or partner that helps contribute to the household? If so, you are fortunate because there are single parents out there that have to do it all. It is those people that cannot afford to look in neighboring communities for an income.

My point is that this is not about me. This is about the fact that there is nothing here. There is no welcoming to outsiders. People say they want people to move to this community and to see some growth but in fact they only want certain people to move here...like all the people that does come here in the horse industry. I have met a few people that moved here because they have horses and traveled here during the horse show every year. They are treated like kings! Why? Because they bring in the only money that keeps this town remotely alive. If the horse show moved or shut down, what would our legacy be for the future generations and how would this town survive?

BTW, my spouse works outside Bedford County; therefore, he spends his money outside of Bedford County. He refuses to buy anything in this county being that he cannot make his money here. He is self employed and has offered his services to this community but no one wants to pay...they want everything for free.

-- Posted by evil camel on Sun, Jan 13, 2008, at 3:38 PM

I do have a spouse that works here in Bedford Co. and because of the business hes in and reputation he has at what he does, he does make good money. We live here because we want to, he could go elseware and make more. I was raised here but lived in Smyrna for 7 yrs. and I hated it! I have also been a single parent and was raised all my life by a single mother. Yes, its hard! My mother drove to Nashville every day to make more money. No child support, no government assistance, and no food stamps!

We do spend our money here because we live here! At least on what we need that we can get here.

The fact that there is nothing much here is correct. The point is, some of us still want to live here! I love my home, have wonderful neighbors, and my kids go to Cascade and its a great school.

-- Posted by Disgusted on Sun, Jan 13, 2008, at 7:01 PM

I, was a single parent, as was my mother. We both worked very hard to support our family. Back in the time that my mother was a single parent, the cost of living was not as high and the wages were at a level that you could still pay the bills. Now the cost of living is sky high, the price of gas is through the roof, and the wages are still low as ever. If all the bills are rising, and the pay is not, no one will be able to get ahead (especially since there are more people here with no job growth).

You were fortunate because you obviously had the means to better your life, as have I; however not everyone has a car that will make it to another town on a regular basis. There are people less fortunate out there.

As you are still missing my points on my first post completely...I wish you continued success in your life and I will leave it at that. You are the only one that responded and wanted to continue the debate.

I talked on the phone with one of the other people that posted on here. This person told me that I was off the subject because it was originally about the articles. Although I did feel it had a racist tone to it, I did not feel the need to respond to that fact. There are enough people commenting on that. I, personally, took offense and was shocked to learn that the police's job was to shoot people and that outsiders should leave or stay out of our business. There were several comments that were made about all ethnic groups that if we were a caring, compasionate, southern hospitality, non-racist community, they would not have been made. The fact that it didn't shock more people and enrage them leads me to believe that we as a community are not what we say.

Any way, God Bless and I wish you continued success but more importantly I wish those people that are not being treated equally in this community the best of luck. There are some out here that actually do care and want to learn about other cultures and teach their children about other cultures as well. There is alot that people can learn from each other if they take the time to do so.

-- Posted by evil camel on Sun, Jan 13, 2008, at 7:39 PM

I live in Unionville, I like the smaller area and school. I know living in the city limits is different. I do agree that there are not alot of high paying jobs here but that is not the the fault of the city. Every day you here about some company moving their buisness to another country. Yes, I do agree that we have those that cater to the horse industry, but that also provides jobs here. I was not being rude to you but apparently that's how you took it, and on that note let me say that your negative attitude will never help make a difference. You have your mind set that you are right and you are entitled to that. I am not some big known person and Lord knows I have no money but I do set out to set forth an example. Will it always be received the way I want it to, no, but I am not going to let that stop me. Yes there are higher paying jobs elsewhere but cost of living is higher too. IF you have younger children just look at the cost of childcare in another town like Murfreesboro. As for Mrs. Bobo, if I am correct didn't Ed Gray report this incident because it is against the rules. She has not just got away with anything. No town is perfect. The reason that started this blog though, I agree with alot of the comments. Not all. My sister lived in Davis Estates when she first got married. Her husband was an over the road truck driver. She would be woken up by rantings of the Salalis and have them harass her. My point is they should have to follow the laws also. Would you want neighbors like this I think not.

-- Posted by For the kids on Sun, Jan 13, 2008, at 7:41 PM

Dear jesuslives,

This is not a rant against anyone in particular. I appreciate what you wrote but for someone to make a comment that they would have shot someone too and not have any kind of remorse for saying that they would have and also saying that I'm sure you would do the same, and that someone would say that it is the cops job to shoot people instead of being a peace officer and negotiating more. Again I was not there and don't know if it could be handled any different. The thing that set me off was the coment about the job of the police and that they would do it too (not knowing any better than me, what the exact situation was).

And yes about Mrs. Bobo, her process is not over. And BTW it was not against the rules, it was against the LAW, a Federal one. The fact is I had her as a teacher myself and I love her dearly, but it was wrong and I don't feel secure sending my children to school with this situation. Does she even have a permit for carrying a concealed weapon? If she doesn't, that would be two laws broken-one Federal and one state.

But honestly people are more upset about a different cultured people being here than they are about the possible danger that our children of this community are put in by an educated adult that is responsible for educating them and helping keep them safe while away from home.

What jobs are brought in by the horse show industry--running a concession stand or collecting money for parking for a couple of weeks? All money that is made by the horse show does not go to the people, it goes to the town for all the so called progress. Jobs pick up for a couple of weeks and then people get laid off or fired. I am not trying to have a negative attitude. This is what I have seen and experienced for the last 30+ years.

If real progrses is to be seen, there needs to be some real jobs brought in here. New sonics, taco bells, burger kings, and subways do not pay. They pay minimum wage at best...maybe a little better (i don't know exactly but I know it can't be much). These are the same eating facilities that we have had for years, why do we need another one of them? Now we do have the brand new to Shelbyville Ruby Tuesdays and Chilis...a few working there might make a little but a waitress job still only pays a couple of dollars plus tips. If the majority of the people can't afford to eat out, the tips are not enough to live on.

And on another note regarding neighbors, I do have neighbors just like that and guess what, they are well to do white americans--horse people, that are just rude and inconsiderate because they can be. No culture differences there. But that is something that I have to deal with.

I may have a negative attitude. But this town has done it to me. I have dealt with it for 30+ years and just reading those few hurtful and blatantly cold, heartless remarks about someone loosing a member of their family kills me. This one man is not the only victim in this situation. He had family and friends that will continue to feel his loss forever. That alone is hard enough but I would hate to think that they would get on here and see that statement, "It's the cops job to shoot him, I would have." That demeans and devalues what that person was to his family.

I know what personal tragedy feels like. I think that the people that are making these statements have no clue what it feels like to lose someone so close to you by tragedy. There was a statement about southern hospitality...forget that. Where is the compassion?

This has always been my home and it will always have a place in my heart. There are things about this place that I do enjoy and love. It is just a shame that is not the place it once was. All I am asking is that people give all people a chance and accept them for who they are. Everyone keeps telling me that there is good and bad in every place. I know this is true but there are also good and bad in every culture, every race...and everyone need to realize that and stop judging everyone based on a few. Thanks for trying to understand what I am trying to say. You may not fully understand my point but thanks for the effort.

-- Posted by evil camel on Sun, Jan 13, 2008, at 11:16 PM

evil camel,

Please do not judge me by my username. I am a horseman, but I'm not a rich horseman, nor am I one of the show horse owners.

That being said may I inquire as to what you have a Master's degree in?

Thank you,

William

-- Posted by HorseGentler on Mon, Jan 14, 2008, at 6:58 AM

Evil Camel,

I was just curious to know your race and religious background. I'm not inquiring to condemn you based on either, only curious. The way you feel you have been treated in this town from employment opportunities, to a helping hand when in need are troubling. I know in a perfect world, race and religion shouldn't be relevant, but unfortunately we don't live in a perfect world.

Thanks

-- Posted by Dolittle on Mon, Jan 14, 2008, at 7:01 AM

Someone called the police b/c he was shooting a gun off. They responded, found the man in the woods behind his home with said gun. They told him to put the gun down, he did not comply. I believe it was reported that he may have even raised the gun up. Even if he had not they had every right in this world to shoot him.

Posted by LauraSFT

This man put himself and his family in this situation. Do people feel for his family? Sure we do, but we didn't cause this! We are all responsible for our own actions no matter what nationality we are. It is a Police Officers job to serve and protect. They may have saved someone elses life, someone who didn't have a gun. Maybe even a child!

-- Posted by Disgusted on Mon, Jan 14, 2008, at 9:59 AM

Dolittle,

You are right, the world is not a perfect place. I am a white, in my 30s, female with a college degree and there is nothing here for me. So the treatment is not racially based.

I am a Christian and that is why those comments have enraged me so much. If the people that made those statements claim to be Christians as well, I would be interested to know what church they attend that believes it is ok to shoot people and to tell them to leave so I know to never visit them as that is not the way I believe or the environment that I want me or my family to live in. In my Sunday school classes, we learned to love your neighbor as yourself and to help those in need. You are supposed to model yourself after Christ. I have never read anywhere that Christ told someone to go away, you stink, we don't want you here. If I am not mistaken, Christ has worn robes also. BTW, Christ died for the sins of EVERY man...that means every culture!

Dolittle, I was going to answer your questions with a quick post but I am getting off on other subjects than what you asked. I do appologize because it seems like I am directing things at you that you did not say. That is not the case. I just have strong feelings that keep coming back. I re-read posts last night and some comments that I didn't respond to has set me off again. But that is not because of anything you have said. In fact, I re-read your post and I agree 110%. Thanks for not judging and for showing your concern for how people are being treated.

-- Posted by evil camel on Mon, Jan 14, 2008, at 10:00 AM

Evil Camel,

There have been good points made on both sides of these issues. I am also a Christian, but don't always act like one when I should. That is the great thing about God, he has the ability to forgive us when we let him down.

I hope you'll forgive those that have wronged you. Carrying hatred around is hard on a person. I know because I'm guilty of it at times also. I wish you luck if you do decide to leave Bedford County. You seem to be a genuine person and I hate to see good people leave our town.

God Bless!

-- Posted by Dolittle on Mon, Jan 14, 2008, at 10:41 AM

Actually Dianatn . . . that KnoxvilleTalks website has been deleting comments because they deleted some of mine when they were on there for a couple of days and I didn't use profanity either . . . I guess the truth hurts.

Oh well, nothing will change my mind on this issue because the Somalis at Davis Estates ran me out of my apartment and I know that for fact. I did my best to try and coexist with them but they never respected me as a neighbor.

I also dare for any of these idiots to call me a racist to my face . . .

-- Posted by jaxspike on Tue, Jan 15, 2008, at 10:42 AM

evil camel,

let me just say, I would have shot him. Allow me to make this more clear. My job as a police officer would be to protect the innocent, and those who are incapable of protecting themselves, not the drunken man with a pistol who refuses to put it down. Does the police officer have remorse for shooting him, I'm sure he does, I'm not sure he ought to but it's not something that any police officer wants to do. When it comes down to kill or be killed if at all possible I will do the killing, sorry if that offends you.

-- Posted by LauraSFT on Tue, Jan 15, 2008, at 11:52 AM

jaxspike -

I double dog dare you.

-- Posted by andy33 on Tue, Jan 15, 2008, at 6:40 PM

the police officer was on private property without a warrant. They entered through the woods during a party with loud music and alcohol. If it had been a local white lawyer on his farm drinking beer and shooting guns with his family, the officers would be in jail.

-- Posted by andy33 on Tue, Jan 15, 2008, at 6:44 PM

loblert,

The police officer had a complaint and he heard gunshots being fired, thus he had probable cause to be on private property without a warrant.

If he had been a local white rich preacher and doing the same thing, he would be just as dead, the officers would still be not prosecuted and that's that.

Bottom line is this. If you are firing a gun or even holding a weapon of any kind and a police officer comes within sight, if you don't want to get at the very least shot you better stop what you are doing and drop the weapon. If you or any other person, white, black, red, yellow, brown or polka dotted, of any vocation does not realize this, then it just may be the last lesson you will ever have to learn.

William

-- Posted by HorseGentler on Tue, Jan 15, 2008, at 9:54 PM

So let me get this straight. If I am drunk shooting a gun on my own farm I had better keep my eyes open for cops coming out of the woods on my property carrying assault rifles because if I am not alert they might shoot me because I am armed? No way buddy. In America, cops don't get to sneak up on you on your own property while you are partying and shooting your legal gun. And cops sure as heck don't get to shoot you dead at 100 feet with an assault rifle on your own farm. That jack booted thug stuff is for Castro and the communists. This is Tennessee not China. Now this could have happened to anyone of any race. But had it been a rich white guy, there would have been he'll to pay.

-- Posted by andy33 on Wed, Jan 16, 2008, at 10:48 AM

loblert,

You sir, are a moron, was this person on a farm? No he was within CITY limits. If you are on a farm you clearly wouldn't be in the city. It is illegal to fire a gun in a city, ANY CITY. You are twisting this all around when you don't even have facts of the entire story. So many cops are dying for doing random stops and domestic calls, and there were shots fired, the cop was being cautious. You keep playing the race card because you want compassion, well that doesn't work anymore, the doormat has been pulled in.

-- Posted by Evil Monkey on Wed, Jan 16, 2008, at 11:06 AM

loblert,

On second thought go ahead and do it your way. One less idiot to deal with.

William

-- Posted by HorseGentler on Wed, Jan 16, 2008, at 11:21 AM

So let me get this straight. If I am drunk shooting a gun on my own farm I had better keep my eyes open for cops coming out of the woods on my property carrying assault rifles because if I am not alert they might shoot me because I am armed? No way buddy. In America, cops don't get to sneak up on you on your own property while you are partying and shooting your legal gun. And cops sure as heck don't get to shoot you dead at 100 feet with an assault rifle on your own farm. That jack booted thug stuff is for Castro and the communists. This is Tennessee not China. Now this could have happened to anyone of any race. But had it been a rich white guy, there would have been he'll to pay.

-- Posted by loblert on Wed, Jan 16, 2008, at 10:48 AM

Even if you are on your own property firing your legal gun; Your bullets are not going to stay on your property.

Therefore innocent lives can be taken. The police had every right to investigate, and when a officer Orders you to drop your weapon, "You HAVE TO DROP YOUR WEAPON.

I am sorry for the tragedy that has caused to ALL.

-- Posted by Momof3&3step&1gran on Wed, Jan 16, 2008, at 2:51 PM

It was a fifteen acre farm in the city limits. Guns are fired in the city limits all the time. People hunt in the city limits all the time. There are hundreds of acres of farms in the city. Sometimes someone gets a ticket for shooting on a city farm. This guy got executed on his own land. Its so funny to me that you KKK types will defend gun and private property rights until you are blue in the face but when a Mexican gets shot you suddenly become a supporter of ATF style commando justice. Its so transparent. As for your desire that I too be shot, I suppose then I should hope you don't have connections at the police department.

-- Posted by andy33 on Wed, Jan 16, 2008, at 7:18 PM

KKK types? Listen here bud, I am from Wash, DC where 90% of the population is not caucasian. The initial response was not that he was hispanic, but that a gun was fired inside the city limits, so law enforcement was a little more cautious because of that reason. Now you are stating the cops just went in blazing, but No-one really knows what happened. Including you. It is total hearsay by everyone here.

Now the problem is, you have now grouped everyone as one type of person; you are the angry one here throwing in the race card. Basically that is ignorant and so very easy to do. It shows a lack of thorough investigating, If you would check all my posts here you would see I have never mentioned race or religion based on someones worth. Because, in my opinion, everyone is worth the same.

Every single one of your post is racially motivated. Have you thought maybe you are a bigot? Maybe you are the one that might need to think real hard about what you feel deeply about.

-- Posted by Evil Monkey on Wed, Jan 16, 2008, at 10:41 PM

They did not shoot him b/c he was Hispanic. They probably could not tell his race through the scope of a rifle at 100 feet. But they sure as heck got away with it because he is Hispanic.

-- Posted by andy33 on Thu, Jan 17, 2008, at 12:18 AM

loblert,

I will apologize for the tone of my last post directed towards you. I have no desire to see you or anyone shot needlessly or otherwise.

I will however second Evil Monkey's post that every post I have ever read written by you has a racial tone to it.

William

-- Posted by HorseGentler on Thu, Jan 17, 2008, at 7:02 AM

It is against the law to shoot guns inside the city limits. Most people have farms on the out skirts of the city limits or outside the city limits.

Everything that involves "Different races" is not "Racially Motivated". Be honest and think; If you were a police officer, and you were told to investigate a property where "Gun shots" are fired, and when you arrived, there is a man standing there with a gun in his hand.

Are you going to just walk up to him and ask him why is he shooting a "Deadly Weapon - Gun", NO, you would be risking your life of getting shot yourself, and that is not normal proceedures. You do not know this persons state of mind, he may be on drugs, drunk, suicidal, or wanting to shoot someone out of anger.

The proper proceedure would be to ask the person to Drop his Weapon, and once that is done they would proceede with caution to retrieve the weapon, question the man, see if the gun is registered to him, and do a thorough investigation of that situation.

But according to the report, the man did not drop his weapon, and MAYBE the action he took was threatening to the officers, and they had to shoot.

These officers are not proud to take a persons life. It does not matter what race a person is, They are a HUMAN Race.

Every person that disagrees, with the way a person acts, live, or believe that is of a different race, culture, or religion; is not necessarily being Racist. Two minds don't think alike, we all have different veiws, values, and morals.

But common sense is to "Treat others how you want to be treated" If you come off rude, hateful, and prejudice; then more than likely people will be the same toward you.

I am not caucasian, IMO you are being the "skillet calling the kettle black" everytime you call someone racist and they are not.

-- Posted by Momof3&3step&1gran on Thu, Jan 17, 2008, at 10:22 AM

loblert,

I don't care who you are of what color, if you are shooting a gun in the city limits or in the county and you are drunk you should go to jail. I have personally called the police b/c of a neighbor long ago that was NOT in the city limits but was outside his home on HIS property drunk shooting a gun. He went to jail. Where he should've gone. The difference was when the police pulled into his driveway he put his gun down. Do you think it came across the police radio "drunken mexican, probably illegal shooting gun"? I doubt it. You could compare me to the KKK but since you don't know me from Adam your opinion of me doesn't hold much weight. Call me racist if you must but I will not resort to name calling with you. I think you have shown everyone exactly what you are.

-- Posted by LauraSFT on Thu, Jan 17, 2008, at 10:44 AM

I disagree that the actions of the police were reasonable. So will the jury. The reason that all of my comments on this blog pertain to race / culture / religion / national origin is that the topic of this blog posting and the string of commentary that follows is exactly that. Do you disagree that this is the topic of the conversation? If it is not, what is the topic? Maybe it is needlepoint and I got confused.

-- Posted by andy33 on Thu, Jan 17, 2008, at 2:36 PM

You only see racial undertones by a few people that use the race card to gain support for themselves, not to discuss a problem.

-- Posted by Evil Monkey on Thu, Jan 17, 2008, at 6:58 PM

Allah or The Lord Jesus Christ? ... By Rick Mathes

Last month I attended my annual training session

that's required for maintaining my state prison security clearance.

During the training session there was a

presentation by three speakers representing the Roman Catholic,

Protestant and Muslim faiths, who explained each of their beliefs.

I was particularly interested in what the Islamic Imam

had to say.

The Imam gave a great presentation of the basics of

Islam, complete with a video.

After the presentations,time was provided for questions and answers.

When it was my turn, I directed my question to the Imam and asked:

'Please,correct me if I'm wrong, but I understand that most

Imams and clerics of Islam have declared a holy jihad [Holy war] against the infidels of the world and, that by killing an infidel,

(which is a command to all Muslims) they would have a place in heaven.

If that's the case,

can you give me the definition of an infidel?'

There was no disagreement with my statements and,

without hesitation, he replied, 'Non-believers!

'I responded, 'So, let me make sure I have this straight.

All followers of Allah have been commanded to kill everyone who is not of your faith so they can have a place in heaven.

Is that correct?'

The expression on his face changed from one of authority and command to that of a little boy who had just been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.'

He sheepishly replied, 'Yes.'

I then stated, 'Well, sir, I have a real problem trying to imagine

Pope John Paul commanding all Catholics to kill those of

your faith or Dr. Stanley ordering all Protestants to do the same in order to guarantee them a place in heaven!'

The Imam was speechless!

I continued, 'I also have problem with being your

'friend' when you and your brother clerics are telling your

followers to kill me!

Let me ask you a question.

Would you rather have your Allah, who tells you to kill me in

order for you to go to heaven, or my Jesus who tells

me to love you because I am going to heaven and

He wants you to be there with me?'

Needless to say, the organizers and/or promoters of

the 'Diversification' training seminar were Not happy with

Rick's way of dealing with the Islamic Imam and exposing the truth abou the Muslims' beliefs.